I have been fortunate to experience many different Cirque du Soleil shows. As a Montrealer, Cirque du Soleil holds a special place in my heart. To read more about my most personal experience with Cirque du Soleil, click here. Cirque du Soleil has come a long way from its original 20 street performers in 1984. In 2017 alone, Cirque du Soleil had 19 shows presented simultaneously throughout the world!
I was completely over the moon when I heard that Cirque du Soleil was going to perform on ice with their newest show, Crystal. I waited in great anticipation and watched Cirque du Soleil on social media to see all the behind-the-scenes preparation for Crystal.
Crystal is currently touring in Canada and the US, and last week, we took our boys to see the performance, courtesy of Evenko. Let me tell you, it was more than we could have imagined!
Crystal is a new Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil is one of my all-time favourite shows to see and I’ve seen it in different places other than Montreal.
The performances are a cultural smorgasbord for the senses. Each show is so creative and beautiful, showing the audience unity and inclusion through various stories.
Crystal has the same characteristics of their other shows but with the obvious addition of skates and ice.
Another change was the addition of music that was not original to the Cirque du Soleil. Pop songs from artists Sia, Beyoncé and U2 are sung by the Cirque du Soleil musicians. For that, I must admit I was more than surprised, as one of my favourite things about Cirque du Soleil performances is their original music. However, I remember feeling like their show, The Beatles, Love wouldn’t work, and wow, was I wrong! Looking at my boys react to the performance with pop songs, my husband and I understood why they might have been added; it was definitely a crowd pleaser. And given the fact that Crystal is in large arenas like the Bell Center, the show works its magic to please both adults and children alike, with a combination of pop and original pieces.
Having watched the behind-the-scenes segments of the skating and acrobatics, I was so appreciative of every move the performers were making on the ice. The performers made each act look so effortless with their movements. Special shoes were made for the acrobats to walk on the ice, while figure skaters were taken to new heights, literally, as they were gracefully raised in the air to perform circus acts with blades on their feet. It was mesmerizing! The projections in the show were incredible. Technology has changed over time since the first Cirque du Soleil shows and it has allowed them to take their visuals to a completely new direction. There is one act that blew everyone away, where the whole ice floor became a visual story that made you feel you were moving with the performer.
Expect all the additions you love from Cirque du Soleil; a fun interactive introduction (get there early to play along) with the clowns, amazing jugglers, balancing feats, and moments that will have you hold your breath and cheer with delight!
When I asked the boys to tell me their favourite parts, they all had different answers, which is another reason I love Cirque du Soleil. There is so much that happens in one show that everyone walks away with inspiration and new favourites. Two things they unanimously loved were the clown who shows up throughout the show, and the hockey skaters. It was incredible to see them glide on the ice-made ramps in their special act. And of course, the main character came out in a Habs jersey – you can imagine the audience’s reaction!
The Crystal Clear Message
Like all Cirque du Soleil shows, there is a story and a message. The main character, Crystal takes us on a journey into her imagination after falling through thin ice. Her character is challenged while seeing other characters around her living certain ways. Should she comply? Should she follow the straight and narrow path? There are moment when she is fighting herself, literally. Her journey takes her through all the feeling one has with “walking on thin ice” or taking a chance to be who you are meant to be. She finishes her journey, renewed and strong, with more confidence than she had before, in her uniqueness.
If this isn’t a New Year’s message for us all, I don’t know what is.
All in all, Crystal does exactly what Cirque du Soleil set out to do; it breaks the traditional molds of ice shows and had combined acrobatics and figure skating in a beautiful blend to satisfy every audience. If you have tickets to see the performance this week in Montreal, you will love it! If you don’t have tickets yet, I can’t think of a better way to end this year than going to see the performance at the Bell Center. And if you are not in Montreal, do yourself a favour and check your local listings for this performance. If you are lucky enough to have it come your way, go see it!
Disclosure: I was offered tickets by Evenko to facilitate this review. All opinions, as enthusiastic as they are, are honest and my own, as always.